All Features articles – Page 8
-
Premium ❘ FeatureAll-female string quartets after the First World War
In the second and final part of his survey, Tully Potter reveals the extent of the explosion of all-female quartets that occurred after the First World War in the UK, Europe, the US and the Soviet Union, as well as notable mixed ones
-
Premium ❘ FeatureElias Placht: how one man founded the violin making tradition of Schönbach
By the early 20th century, the town of Schönbach was producing tens of thousands of violins per year – but the industry began with just one man. Christian Hoyer sifts through the records to reveal the life and legacy of Elias Placht
-
Premium ❘ FeatureSession Report: 12 Ensemble on recording new album ‘Metamorphosis’
The conductorless string orchestra 12 Ensemble is celebrating its twelfth birthday with a new album, Metamorphosis. Founder members Max Ruisi and Eloise-Fleur Thom speak to David Kettle about the repertoire, and recording in London’s famous Abbey Road Studios
-
Premium ❘ FeatureViolist Timothy Ridout: ‘People want to hear something different’
Timothy Ridout is the latest in a line of brilliant British violists that stretches back to Lionel Tertis. He speaks to Toby Deller about the legacy of this influential musician, his own fight to expand the viola repertoire, and his latest recording – a Tertis celebration
-
Premium ❘ FeatureSession Report: Cellist Laura van der Heijden and Jâms Coleman on recording ‘Path to the Moon’
Cellist Laura van der Heijden and pianist Jâms Coleman speak to Tom Stewart about the imaginative programming behind their new album Path to the Moon – their second recording together as a duo – which features an eclectic selection of lunar-inspired repertoire
-
Premium ❘ FeatureMaud Powell and Sibelius: how the violinist championed the composer's Violin Concerto
Violin virtuoso Maud Powell was the first American performer to recognise and champion the genius of Sibelius’s epic Violin Concerto in D minor, in spite of the initial scepticism of some US critics. Karen A. Shaffer reveals the mutual respect and friendship that made it possible
-
Premium ❘ FeatureAll-female string quartets of the 19th and 20th centuries
In spite of historic discrimination against women having careers as professional musicians during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, many first-class all-female string quartets flourished at the time. In the first of two articles, Tully Potter provides a survey of some of these pioneering groups
-
Premium ❘ FeatureCellist Zlatomir Fung: ‘Our mission is to get that one-to-one connection’
With a string of competition wins to his name and debuts with major orchestras in 2024, Zlatomir Fung is a young cellist to watch. Amanda Holloway speaks to him about what inspires him and keeps him grounded
-
Premium ❘ FeatureAnalysing the ‘Boissier, Sarasate’: Stradivari à la mode
George Stoppani presents the results of an investigation into the acoustics of the ‘Boissier, Sarasate’, focusing primarily on the ‘signature modes’
-
Premium ❘ FeatureStradivari 1713 ‘Boissier, Sarasate’ Violin: Sarasate’s Red Violin
One of the most admired instruments ever made by Antonio Stradivari, the ‘Boissier, Sarasate’ is in an excellent state of preservation. Roberto Jardón Rico examines the violin and its best-known owner, the Spanish virtuoso Pablo Sarasate
-
Premium ❘ FeatureThe Fulton collection: Magnificent obsession
For decades, top soloists would visit the home of David Fulton to sample the treasures of his legendary collection. Now dispersed, the instruments have been brought together again in book form. The collector shares some of the highlights with Christian Lloyd
-
Premium ❘ FeatureFilippo de Filippi: From Vatican to varnish
The 19th-century violin maker Filippo de Filippi had an unusual route to his chosen career, taking in the Papal court, the Risorgimento and Rome’s cultural milieu. Stefano Pio explores his intriguing life
-
Premium ❘ FeatureSession Report: violist Hiyoli Togawa on recording her new album, Children!
Violist Hiyoli Togawa speaks to Carlos María Solare about her latest recording, Children!, which mixes new music with Bach and is based around the themes of childhood memories and family love
-
Premium ❘ FeatureTelemann’s Viol Fantaisies on the viola
When a long-lost set of Telemann bass viol fantaisies was found in a private collection a few years ago, Mikhail ‘Misha’ Galaganov set about arranging them for the viola. Here he explores the history of the works and reveals some of the challenges he encountered in his quest
-
Premium ❘ FeatureInheriting others’ pupils: a fresh start
Taking on other people’s ex-pupils can be a tricky business – especially when they come with ingrained unhealthy habits. Focusing on upper strings, Alun Thomas outlines what may need to be addressed to make progress
-
Premium ❘ FeatureLuigi Mozzani: Renaissance Man
As a luthier, musician, composer, teacher and successful businessman, Luigi Mozzani spread his talents far and wide. Lorenzo Frignani examines his eventful career, which produced all kinds of instruments
-
Premium ❘ FeatureAnne Akiko Meyers: What’s next?
US violinist Anne Akiko Meyers speaks to Rita Fernandes about her Californian roots, lifelong hunger for commissioning new works, and determination to make a lasting impact on the future of new music
-
Premium ❘ FeatureCopying a Montagnana cello: The Full Monty
For the past few years, the attendees of the annual Oberlin Violin Makers Workshop have set themselves increasingly challenging group projects. Robin Aitchison explains how 30 luthiers collaborated on their latest task: to copy a Montagnana cello with pinpoint accuracy
-
Premium ❘ FeatureKronos Quartet at 50: Hunger for the new
Kronos Quartet has been at the vanguard of contemporary string quartet performance for 50 years. Founder David Harrington and former cellist Joan Jeanrenaud speak with Thomas May about the legacy of innovation that the ensemble is celebrating with an ambitious series of projects this season
-
Premium ❘ FeatureGerman bow makers in America: Across the Atlantic
Many, if not most, of the earliest bow makers working in America originally hailed from Germany. Raphael Gold discovers how they helped lay the foundations for the industry
